Influence of metal cation concentration on structure and performance of SmBa2Cu3O7−z superconducting films by non-fluorine CSD method

• SmBa2Cu3O7−z films have been prepared by self-developed polymer-assisted chemical solution deposition method.
• The chemical solution deposition method is fluorine-free.
• Four different metal cation concentrations (MCCs) were applied in the synthesis of coating solutions.
• Film quality can be significantly improved by adjusting the MCCs.
• The film with MCC of 1.0 mol/L has Tc of 91.2 K and Jc (0T, 77 K) above 1 MA/cm2.

SmBa2Cu3O7−z (SmBCO) films with different metal cation concentrations (MCCs) were prepared on (00l) LaAlO3 substrate by self-developed non-fluorine chemical solution deposition (CSD) method. The influence of MCC on structure and performance of SmBCO films was investigated. The film with MCC of 1.0 mol/L shows better c-axis texture and smoother as well as denser surface microstructure than other films. With increasing the MCC, the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of the films has a peak value of 91.2 K at MCC of 1.0 mol/L. And the films with MCC of 0.8 mol/L and 1.0 mol/L show higher current carrying capabilities in the magnetic fields according to the Jc−H behaviors.